This is part 1 of a series in explaining how a CrossFit gym is different from a commercial/globo gym. For our purposes, we will be focusing on the following major differences between our box and some of the local commercial/globo gyms:

Price Structure

Coached Classes

Lack of Machines

Accountability

Community

No doubt the first thing that people compare when looking at local gyms is price. Some people might be shocked if they think that a commercial/glob gym in on the same level as a CrossFit box. The differences between the business models are vast and since money speaks, we thought to tackle the financial aspect of a CrossFit gym verses a commercial gym first.

Price Structure - Whereas commercial gyms have a price point that is typically under $50 a month, CrossFit boxes price their monthly memberships at upwards of $100. In North Central West Virginia, the average cost of a CrossFit unlimited monthly membership is $125 per month. Why does a CrossFit membership cost more than a commercial/globo gym's membership? The best explanation we have found is on CrossFit Mayhem's website: "What do you get from a typical gym membership? You pay a flat fee to use the equipment....[at a CrossFit gym] we program your workouts, instruct movements, scale the workout if necessary, offer nutritional suggestions if requested, and are committed to each client every time you walk in the door. Our group sessions are the equivalent of semi-personal training." We couldn't have said it better.

The goal of a typical gym is to get as many people into a contract as possible at low monthly rates that are automatically deducted from a checking account, debit card or credit card. Once people are locked into a contract, however, whether or not they are actually working out at the gym becomes irrelevant, as the relatively low monthly payment is no more than the cost of foregoing a few trips to a fast food restaurant throughout the month. This fact became known to us at CFI when we had a couple join our community in late 2014. The couple was in their 20's, both of them worked, and they were parents of a toddler. After the couple joined us for our CrossFit 101 beginner's class, which is traditionally offered at a lower price point than the regular membership rates, they were initially uncertain as to whether or not they could swing the monthly dues once the 101 class concluded. After the 101 class concluded, the gentleman came into the office and said that he and his wife couldn't afford NOT to sign up. He went on to explain that they had purchased a globo gym membership earlier that year that was recurring for just $20 a month for each of them and even though they had a membership at the globo gym for close to a year, they never used it and didn't even feel guilty for not using it because it was so cheap. Josh then said that he realized they both HAD to join us at CFI because with the higher price point, he and his family would be making an investment and they knew that if they made the investment, they would be in the gym regularly, thus improving their health and fitness that in the long run would pay off in lower medical bills due to a healthy and fit lifestyle. Josh put into words what we see as "value."

The word 'value' is defined in Merriam-Webster's dictionary as "a fair return or equivalent in goods, services, or money for something exchanged." If a gym member pays a relatively low monthly rate for a gym membership (a service) and does not go to the gym at least three (3) times a week to workout (thus, receiving nothing in return), there is little value in a low monthly rate gym membership.

Further, if a commercial gym whose goal is to acquire 600 members actually reaches the number of 600 members, you can bet your bottom dollar that the owners are hoping and praying that 600 people never show up in the same day, or even the same week. The wear and tear on their equipment in addition to the water usage, toilet paper needed and the cleaning costs alone would be so great that the gym would find it hard to make ends meet. The commercial gym owner is literally banking on the fact that people will forget the low monthly payment, not show up, and they can just rack in the money with very little expense to their gym.

At a CrossFit box, the goal is quality coaching over quantity of members. CrossFit owners prefer to provide a quality experience which is through their programming and coaches that are certified, over having too many people in each class. In fact, at CrossFit Intense we do not want any classes over 12-15 people (depending on that day's workout) so that the coach to athlete ratio provides a better experience for the athlete as they are learning and refining barbell movements and their gymnastic's skills.

The business model of the typical commercial gym is to sell memberships. The business model of a typical CrossFit gym is to provide a quality coaching experience for their members so that their athletes can see results.

Making you harder to kill.

CrossFit Intense is an affiliate located in Fairmont, West Virginia in Layne Performance Center (LPC). We are a business that is focused on assisting you in maximizing your performance, whether it be for increased it quality of life in your daily tasks, increase in strength, greater mobility, sports conditioning, benefit from chiropractic care, or access to physical therapy and whole foods nutrition.

We are home to Intense Barbell Club which members are strength athletes devoted to powerlifting and strongman and dedicated to advancing in their sport. We have numerous state and American Record holders on our team, as well as a few IPL World Record holders.

Live in NCWV and serious about strength? Come join our team. You'll be glad you did.